We are seeking a Senior Researcher to lead and elevate research initiatives that inform our work across architecture, interiors, and urban design. In this role, you will partner with designers, strategists, and clients to uncover insights, translate complex data into actionable strategies, and help define design solutions that are evidence-based and forward-thinking. This is an opportunity for a passionate, collaborative leader who thrives at the intersection of research, design, and impact.
As a Senior Researcher, you will exhibit the following:
- Principal investigator on a single research project, who consistently owns significant portions of research investigations that inform our design practice and advances the field.
- Strong collaborator with a depth of expertise and domain knowledge in a specific field aligned with the firm’s research goals and strategic agenda.
- Direct project, provides subject matter expertise, and supports business objectives.
- Collaborates with design and research project teams to establish new and evolve existing knowledge, methodologies, and tools.
- Serves as an internal expert, translating research into practice. Guide and build capacity for staff across studios to implement research in our design work.
- Develops specific research questions and agendas in conjunction with project directors.
- Identifies methodologies to respond to research questions and proposed research projects.
- Conducts research through various analytical and qualitative methods.
- Influences and contributes to the development of research, education, and project collateral with focus on distilling complex information into engaging, accurate, and accessible content.
- Champion innovation and exploration of innovative tools, technologies, methods and products.
- Strengthens research connections across firmwide initiatives, practice areas and studios.
- Builds relationships with industry partners, organizations, clients, and researchers to develop shared methodology to enhance our collective impacts.
- Contributes to pursuits, proposals, award submissions, publications, and public engagement.
- Compiles, publishes, and presents completed research work in peer-reviewed journals, external publications, and conferences.
- Identifies and pursues grant funding for targeted research projects.
- Develops educational resources, presentations, and translational design guides.
- Experience in research methods, data analysis, and report writing
- Strong analytical and critical thinking skills, with the ability to synthesize complex information into clear and actionable insights
- Proficiency in relevant research methods and tools, such as surveys, interviews, and data analysis software
- Strong attention to detail and accuracy
- Robust verbal, visual, and written communication skills
- Demonstrate a strong drive for change-making through design and implementation
- Ability to self-manage a varied schedule that includes one research project at a time
- Engage problems that are unique and abstract in nature and that span disciplines
- Value diversity and contribute to an inclusive environment
- Ability to collaborate with teams in a positive and proactive manner
- Experience working with teams across time zones
- Ability to travel to various Perkins&Will offices if and as needed
- Ability and interest to learn data visualization, computer aided programming, and fabrication tools to engage automated and innovative design workflows
- Becoming recognized as a thought leader; developing reputation as demonstrated by regional or local presentations, peer review publications, and/or related committees
- Actively engaged as a subject matter expert in relevant industry / academic communities
- Strong Computer skills, including statistical and geospatial software, and familiarity with design and presentation platforms.
- Master’s Degree from an accredited program is required
- Licensure, PhD or equivalent experience in relevant expertise domain
- Experience teaching in university or professional settings
- Published research and/or writing
Salary Range Information
We foster a culture that is diverse and inclusive and strive for pay practices that are fair, and competitive and reflect our commitment to pay equity. Our compensation decisions include but are not limited to a candidate’s qualifications including skill sets, education, experience and training, licensure and certifications credentials if applicable, and business-related factors. This practice extends to all employees, including performance considerations for merit increases, job promotions, and transfer opportunities. We additionally review our pay practices, conduct pay equity audits, and ensure our managers are trained in our pay practices on an annual basis. At the time of posting this job advertisement, the annual pay salary range for this position in Boston is between $95,000 and $105,000.
Justice, Equity, Diversity & Inclusion
At Perkins&Will we believe that inclusion spurs creativity and that innovation is born from an engaged culture of diverse people + ideas. By moving beyond barriers and stereotypes of gender, race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, medical condition, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status; we are committed to building an organization that reflects the diversity of the communities and clients we serve.
"Design has the power to inspire joy, uplift lives, and strengthen the spirit of community."
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement
Perkins&Will has established and adopted an Equal Employment Opportunity Employment policy (“EEO”), which is part of the Company’s Human Resources Policy. The purpose of this EEO policy is to ensure that all employment decisions are made on a non-discriminatory basis, and without regard to sex, race, color, age, national origin, religion, disability, genetic information, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, gender reassignment, citizenship, pregnancy or maternity, veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable national, federal, state, or local law. In some cases, local laws and regulations may provide greater protections than those outlined here and employees will be covered by the laws of their local jurisdiction.
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This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.
Skills Required
- Master's Degree from an accredited program
- Experience in research methods, data analysis, and report writing
- Proficiency with surveys, interviews, and data analysis software
- Strong computer skills including statistical and geospatial software and familiarity with design and presentation platforms
- Strong analytical, critical thinking, and communication (verbal, visual, written) skills
- Ability to travel to various Perkins&Will offices as needed
- Experience working with teams across time zones
- Licensure, PhD, or equivalent experience in relevant expertise domain
- Experience teaching in university or professional settings
- Published research and/or writing
- Ability and interest to learn data visualization, computer-aided programming, and fabrication tools
- Active engagement as a subject matter expert in relevant industry/academic communities
Perkins&Will Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about Perkins&Will and has not been reviewed or approved by Perkins&Will.
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Inclusive Benefits Coverage — Inclusive health benefits extend to same-sex spouses and domestic partners and include coverage for gender confirmation surgery, reinforced by repeated external recognition for LGBTQ equality.
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Healthcare Strength — Health coverage spans dental, vision, disability, life, and medical insurance, alongside FSA options and related support programs that broaden access to care.
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Retirement Support — Retirement support includes a 401(k) with employer matching and is complemented by performance bonuses that add to total rewards.
Perkins&Will Insights
What We Do
Since 1935, we’ve believed that design has the power to make the world a better, more beautiful place. That’s why clients and community members on nearly every continent partner with us to design healthy, happy places in which to live, learn, work, play, and heal. We’re passionate about Living Design, a philosophy that guides our work and emphasizes poetics and beauty; conceptual clarity; research and innovation; technology and tectonics; community and inclusion; resilience and regeneration; and health and well-being. Our team of over 2,500 professionals in 30 studios worldwide provides interdisciplinary services in architecture, interior design, branded environments, urban design, landscape architecture, and more. Our partners include Schmidt Hammer Lassen Architects; Portland; Nelson\Nygaard; and Pierre-Yves Rochon (PYR). We’re also part of the Sidara Collaborative, a global network of leading designers, engineers, planners, and consultants.
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